Scholarship donors and their students enjoyed an evening of conversation and gratitude at the annual Scholarship Dinner last Wednesday.

Guests seated in the St. Louis Room at the Busch Student Center for the annual Scholarship Dinner

"My scholarship not only made me want to attend Saint Louis University, it also made it possible for me to attend this wonderful institution," said Briana Wright, a junior in the College of Arts & Sciences and recipient of the Martin Luther King Jr. scholarship.

Wright, the event's student speaker, said she would never have imagined the opportunities she has experienced, which were all made possible because of her scholarship.

At the event, donors were seated with their recipients and given the opportunity to get to know one another.

"We really enjoy the chance to meet and get to know our scholarship recipient," said Steven Ippolito, who provided the funding for the David S. Ippolito School for Professional Studies Scholarship.

"While donating to charities and other organizations are all worthwhile, we are able to meet the person who is actually benefitting from our scholarship. They are truly one of the best ways for a person to give back."

Victoria Mennillo, a senior in the School of Professional Studies, was honored at the chance to meet the Ippolitos again at the dinner since she is this year's recipient of the scholarship.

"The Ippolitos' generosity has had a profound effect on me," Mennillo said. "By meeting them, it answered my questions of curiosity about what kind of person could be so generous and donate to my school. They are wonderful people."

(From left) Diana and David Ippolito sit with Victoria Mennillo, this year's recipient of the David S. Ippolito School for Professional Studies Scholarship.

About 115 scholarship donors and 40 students attended the dinner, along with other University officials.

"Scholarships prove to students that their academic and personal achievements are noteworthy," Wright said. "All of the dedication and devotion one puts into their studies is recognized and rewarded through a scholarship."

For Kathie Winter, she and her husband, Rich Winter, enjoy meeting the recipients of their scholarship - Circle of Five Scholarship - because it helps them see what their gifts are doing for students firsthand.

"We enjoy hearing about their goals and find it even more rewarding to know that we are helping them attain those goals," Kathie Winter said. "We are big proponents of a college education."

Senior Justin Mathes, who is one of the recipients of the Winters' scholarship, found this dinner to be a wonderful opportunity to thank the Winters personally for their generosity.

"It's very gratifying that they take an interest and want to get to know to us," Mathes said.

Michael Barber, S.J., dean of the College of Arts & Sciences, said the University is blessed to have donors such as the Winters.

(From left to right) Students Brian Johnston and Justin Mathes sit with their scholarship donors, Kathie and Richard Winters, who provided the funding for the Circle of Five Scholarship.

"It's so wonderful to have donors who are interested in meeting the students they support," Barber said.

Each student who attended was also asked to write thank you letters to their donors for their generosity and support of Saint Louis University and its students.